March 26, 2008

Maryland Living

Steve Rouse of WMAR-TV's, new Sunday Morning Show "Maryland Living" spent the better part of the day on Wednesday March 26th, filming here in Catonsville.
Maryland Living is a new show that highlights local communities. So far they have aired segments on Ellicott City, Federal Hill and Annapolis. I think that Catonsville was chosen, so early on in the series, because of all of the exciting things happening here.
Steve and his crew visited the Catonsville Gourmet Market & Fine Foods, The Catonsville Groomery, The Sugar Shack, Appalachian Blue Grass Shoppe, the Piano Man and a few other locations.
Look for the show to air on Channel 2 this Sunday at 9am. Thanks Steve!

Catonsville Gourmet - In the Baltimore Sunpaper

Table Talk: Seafood is king at Catonsville spot
Catonsville Gourmet, on Frederick Road, is both an 80-seat restaurant and a gourmet market. (Sun photo by Monica Lopossay / March 21, 2008)
By Elizabeth Large Sun Restaurant Critic
March 26, 2008

Sean Dunsworth has been in the wholesale seafood business for the past decade, and his partner, Robert Rehmert, has worked in the kitchens of places as diverse as Tiber River Tavern in Ellicott City, Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore downtown and Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort in Cumberland. Together, they should be able to produce some very fresh fish at their new venture, Catonsville Gourmet (829 Frederick Road, 410-788-0005) in Catonsville.It's primarily an 80-seat restaurant that serves classic American seafood with an Asian accent; but it's also a gourmet market, with cases in the back of the second dining room containing seafood, meats, prepared foods and desserts to take out.The location where the Muir Hardware store once was has been extensively renovated and has what Dunsworth calls an "eclectic, antique look" and a bistro feel, with paper covering white tablecloths.The heart of the menu is a daily offering of six different fish. Customers pick the method of cooking and the sauce they want. Three or four different oysters are available every day at the oyster bar, along with clams and mussels. The Asian influence is obvious in dishes like crispy crab won tons and tempura nori tuna roll, both appetizers.
Related links
Filet Four Ways dish Photo
The owners are hoping to get a beer and wine license, but right now the place is BYOB, with a $5 corkage fee per table, not bottle."People must like it," Dunsworth says. "We threw away a hundred empty bottles this week."Catonsville Gourmet is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Send restaurant news, trends, questions of general interest or observations to me at elizabeth.large@baltsun.com or fax me at 410-783-2519. Snail mail works, too: Elizabeth Large, The Sun, P.O. Box 1377, Baltimore 21278.

March 15, 2008

Sam's Bagels

I have been an "on again, off again" regular at Sam's Bagels, ever since they first opened in Catonsville. Over the last year or so it has been very difficult to find the time to enjoy many leisurely visits there with my friends & the breakfast bunch. So, of course I was very pleased to find out about this site. Sue, thanks for keeping us updated as to the going's ons, of the cast of characters. I am glad to see that they continue to work diligently solving the problems of the world over coffee at Sam's Bagels ! Craig
http://samsbagels.blogspot.com/

March 8, 2008

NOW OPEN !! Catonsville Gourmet Market & Fine Foods

Friday March 7th was the test. Over 100 people came for a "rehearsal dinner" and everything went perfect.
The staff looked great. They were very attentive and polite. It was great to see so many "locals" working there.
The food tasted excellent. It was well priced and served in generous portions.
The Fisherman's sampler, as well as the Crab Cakes, Fresh Fish and Steaks were all very popular items and loved by all who ordered them.
Some of the other must try, items included : Lobster Mac and Cheese, Crab Dip and Calamari. You are truly missing out if you don't try Chef Rob's famous soups.
The Chicken Wings were outstanding. Sean and Rob, thank you for the recognition on what I am sure will be one of the most loved appetizers.
The process of opening this venture has truly been a labor of love, for everyone involved.
When you visit, either the Market or the Dining Room, there is no doubt that you will see and feel what a special place this is! Craig

Now Open for Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week
11am - 9pm
829 Frederick Rd.

March 7, 2008

Pub Crawl Off to a Good Start

Reprinted from the Catonsville Times

03/05/08By Keith Meisel

Talk finally turned into action March 1 as the Catonsville Men's Civic Association hosted its first Catonsville Pub Crawl.
"We've been talking about doing something like this for a while," said Larry Davis, the association president.
"We wanted to draw attention to what we do and promote businesses in the Catonsville area," he said.
About 20 men and women paid $20 for a Catonsville Pub Crawl T-shirt and discounted drinks at Sea Hut Inn, Morsbergers, G.L. Shack's, Jennings Cafe and Ship's Cafe during Saturday afternoon's event.
"We just wanted to try and help the guys out any way we can, that's the main reason," said Shacks' co-owner, Ricky Shackleford.
"It's a fundraiser for us," said Davis, noting that the association provides annual events such as an Easter Egg Hunt and Fourth of July games and races at Catonsville High School, a Halloween party at the Catonsville Library and a night at the movies for residents of The Children's Home.
The event was sponsored by Strawberry Fields Witzke Properties and Crown Title.
The group met at Catonsville Gourmet on Frederick Road for a sneak peek at the new restaurant and carry-out, which is scheduled to open later this week, before walking down Frederick Road.
Co-owner Sean Dunworth, a Catonsville native who said he grew up in the restaurant industry, supplied hot crab dip and crab balls to fortify the group for its march of about a mile down and back on Frederick Road.
Davis said establishments such as Matthew's 1600 further west on Frederick Road had been considered, then rejected so that participants could walk to each destination.
Craig Witzke, a member of the association for more than 25 years, said the state's recent smoking ban, which went into effect Feb. 1, made the pub crawl more attractive.
"There are certain establishments where people say they would love to go there, but it's so darn smoky," Davis said. "Now the places are clean and fresh."
Davis said he was pleased with the turnout.
"You try not to overthink things," he said. "We wanted to put a little fun in fundraiser.
"We meet the first Wednesday of every month, so this week we'll go over what worked and what didn't work."
E-mail Keith Meisel at Keith Meisel@patuxent.com

March 6, 2008

Preview The Catonsville Gourmet

The Market area of the Catonsville Gourmet quietly opened today March 6th at 4pm. They will be open until 9pm tonight and from 11am - 4pm tomorrow.
Stop in and get some fresh seafood, some great meat selections or a delicious salad and all of the accompaniments. While you are there you can enjoy some steamed shrimp or a few raw oysters and take a look at the wonderful transformation that has taken place!

The Dining Room is not open yet, but will be very soon. Sean and Rob want to make sure that everything is running perfect before it opens.

In the meantime, stop in and tell them that you have been reading the blog. Craig

March 1, 2008

Original Souls

Although their business is not located in Catonsville, Diane and Shelia are the newest members of our Family of Tenants. We encourage you to stop by and visit them. Craig


Original Souls
8120 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-461-2300
http://www.originalsouls.net/


Diane Standeven and Sheila Morrison would like to invite you to visit Original Souls located in historic Ellicott City. We are opening our doors on
Thursday, February 27th, 2008. Store hours are Wed.-Sun. 11-6.

Setting up the Shop has been a labor of love and we think you will like our efforts. It is said that it takes a village to raise a child and our community of friends and family surely helped us birth Original Souls. We deeply thank all of you for your support, work, food, ideas and joy.

Our Grand Opening is Saturday, March 29, 2008. Members of the Centennial High School Jazz Band will help us celebrate our opening. They will be performing from 1- 3 p.m. We will also have a reception with desserts and wine. Please join us on March 29, 2008.

To inaugurate our vision of operating a socially responsible business, we will donate a portion of our profits to the Keeley Imel Fund.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you.


Diane and Sheila

To read more about Original Souls visit http://awalkintothepast.blogspot.com/

Catonsville Nabs Gourmet Shop

Friday, February 29, 2008
Reprinted from the Baltimore Business Journal - by Julekha Dash Staff

Two Catonsville entrepreneurs are biting into Baltimore County's dining scene.
Sean Dunworth and Rob Rehmert will next month debut a restaurant and food market in downtown Catonsville at the site of the former Muir J. Allan Inc. hardware store.
The pair have invested more than $500,000 to open the Catonsville Gourmet Market & Fine Foods at 829 Frederick Road. The business partners obtained funding from a bank loan, personal money and a U.S. Small Business Administration loan.
Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant will sell meat, seafood and American dishes with an Asian flair. For instance, the menu will include crab wontons and hoisin teriyaki wings

On the Lighter Side!